What is the most important information I should know about zonisamide?
Taking zonisamide can cause permanent vision loss. Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye pain or redness or any changes in your vision.
Zonisamide may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. Call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
Zonisamide may cause decreased sweating and increased body temperature (fever). Children and people exposed to hot weather may be more likely to have this side effect.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking zonisamide. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
What is zonisamide?
Zonisamide is used together with other medicines to treat partial seizures in adults and teenagers at least 16 years old.
Zonisamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zonisamide?
You should not take zonisamide if you are allergic to it.
You may not be able to take zonisamide if you have ever had a severe allergic to sulfa drugs.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
- high levels of ammonia;
- diarrhea;
- a growth problem;
- a bone disorder that causes soft or weak bones or low bone mineral density;
- depression, mood changes, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
- if you have ever had metabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood);
- if you have been on a ketogenic diet (high-fat, high-protein, low-carb);
- liver disease; or
- kidney disease.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking zonisamide. Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
May harm an unborn baby. Use birth control while using this medicine and for at least one month after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of zonisamide on the baby.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
How should I take zonisamide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take zonisamide with or without food and drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
You will need blood and kidney function tests before and during treatment with zonisamide.
Seizures may increase if you stop using zonisamide suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Throw away the oral suspension after 30 days, even if there is still medicine left inside.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking zonisamide?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
What are the possible side effects of zonisamide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- eye pain or redness or any changes in your vision;
- decreased sweating, feeling very hot;
- increased or worsening seizures;
- any skin rash, no matter how mild;
- signs of metabolic acidosis --confusion, vomiting, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats;
- symptoms of a blood cell disorder --fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;
- signs of a kidney stone --pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine, stomach pain, painful or difficult urination; or
- severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness, dizziness;
- problems with memory or trouble concentrating;
- being agitated or feeling irritable;
- loss of coordination, trouble walking; or
- loss of appetite.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect zonisamide?
Taking zonisamide with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking zonisamide with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Other drugs may affect zonisamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about zonisamide.
